Obstetrician services at Inuvik Regional Hospital remain frozen due to an ongoing staffing shortage until at least Oct. 15.

An announcement was released on Aug. 15 by Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA). The halt on birthing services has been in effect since June 30.

"During this period the following measures will continue to support patients," stated the news release. "Patients who were planning to give birth in Inuvik and who are 36 weeks or more in their pregnancy between now and Oct. 15 will be contacted and advised to transfer their care to Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife.

"Pre-and-post natal assessments and care will continue at IRH (Inuvik Regional Hospital). Anyone in Inuvik who is pregnant and requires assessment or who goes into labour during this time is asked to please present to the IRH emergency department for care."

This announcement extends the second suspension of birthing services in Inuvik this year. Expectant mothers were forced to complete their pregnancies in Yellowknife from Jan. 11 to 23.

Noting the reason for the suspension is a shortage of qualified staff, the notice warns that if staff can not be found by Oct. 15, the suspension could continue even further than the current three-month absence of services for pregnant women.

Anyone with questions is asked to direct them to Inuvik Primary Care by phoning (867) 678-8041.

The notice went so far as to ask anyone who is or knows a registered obstetric nurse to apply for work.

"This service reduction is related to the continued significant reduction of available qualified obstetric registered nursing staff," reads the notice."Efforts continue by the NTHSSA to recruit for qualified staff.

"If you are a qualified obstetrics nurse with the credentials and ability to work in the NWT, please visit or ."